I have had an extremely interesting and busy time in the electorate recently. I watched an exciting game of rugby between Ardmore Marist and Pukekohe, which Ardmore Marist won!

It was a pleasure to attend the re-opening of the Papakura Rugby League Clubrooms and officiate at this along with Mayor Calum Penrose.

I visited Acacia Cove and shared dinner with residents there and watched the entertainment provided by them. What a wonderful community of people live there. They made me feel very welcome and I was grateful for that.

The Papakura Citizens Advice Bureau held their AGM at the beginning of the week. This was followed by, as always, a wonderful luncheon put on by the volunteers. This Bureau has a combined total of 194 years of voluntary service. Two of the volunteers have given over 20 years service to the community through CAB. Congratulations.

That evening I attended an Art Exhibition at Takanini School. My son was with me and we both thoroughly enjoyed this event.

On Thursday Hon Bill English was in the Electorate speaking at the Business Breakfast which I also attended. There was a wonderful turnout and it was good to catch up with a number of constituents.

That evening I attended the launch of the inaugural Franklin Papakura Stevenson Business Excellence Programme at Karaka Point Vineyard in Waiau Pa.

On Wednesday in Parliament I had very successful talks with the Ministry of Social Development and Child Youth and Family at the Social Services Committee. I asked them for Social Workers to collect the children who congregate on our streets in the early hours of the morning.

They advised me of a project in Hamilton that is getting children off the street. It is run in collaboration with the Community Policing Centre and Child Youth and Family. My response was that it’s just what we would like here in Papakura. This has been agreed to. I look forward to see this in action.

Papakura is a very caring community. We don’t want to see young people getting into trouble and ruining their own lives and those of others.